To those who haven't, you may want to re-read the end of the previous chapter. There was an additional scene tacked on last week, in case some weren't aware.

"...Sorry, but we don't take Slifer slackers! Try again when you're better ranked, loser!"

"H-Hey, wait!" Konami yelled, stumbling backward as the door was slammed shut. "Ugh... So much for the Anime Club. I thought I'd get along with them, too."

It had been two days since his deal with Banner, and he'd met with nothing but failure. Who knew that joining a school club these days would prove to be so damn hard? He shook his head, sending a message to Jaden about their response.

[Yeah. Those guys were a bust as well. Got any other genius ideas?]

A few minutes passed before he got a reply.

[Do u like fishing at all?]

He raised an eyebrow.

[Not one bit. But I might as well check it out, right?]

He couldn't afford to keep being picky; Banner's deadline was tomorrow. And if things kept going the way they had so far, then his Duel Disk would get taken, too! Speaking of which...

[Hows the Going Home Club?]

[Im simulating a duel against Chumley,] Jaden sent.

[And hows that going?]

[U win some, u lose some.]

[Sounds like youre losing to me.]

There was a brief pause.

[Maybe,] Jaden typed, [but at least we're still having fun!]

Fun?

Konami rolled his eyes at that. How could he call it fun when he lost?

[Yeah, right...] he typed back, adding, [So, you said Fishing Club? Any idea about where they might meet?]

[No clue. You should go ask a teacher. Chumley says Ms. Fontaine runs that club.]

[Fontaine? The hottie from gym class?]

[I don't know about hot, but yeah. From gym. She's also a cwrtioied nurse.]

[Cwrtioied?]

[Certifked.] [Certified*] Jaden typed.

[Im pretty sure I only know what one of those means, but the former is very intriguing. Tell me more.]

[What do u mean?]

Konami sighed.

[Never mind.] He typed. [Ill message you after I see her, okay? Would she still be at the infirmary?]

[Thats my guess. Good luck, pal!]

[Thanks.] But I don't think I'll need it.

He closed his PDA and walked down the hall.

It was time to turn on the charm.

When he finally arrived and met with her, however, he found that it had no effect.

"Absolutely not!" Ms. Fontaine said, frowning as she stared at Konami. "You've already ruined tennis club for the year. I won't let you hurt fishing, too!"

"I'm sorry, but what?" he asked her, frowning.

"You're the reason we had to bench Harrington," she said. "I heard all about your little late-night duel. And about what you said to him, too. Brainwashing Alexis?" She shook her head. "You're lucky he didn't have proof. Those kinds of comments used to be enough to get people expelled from this school."

"Wait, really? It was just a joke!"

"It clearly wasn't made in good taste," she said. "You should mind your words. And your manners. They haven't won you any friends here."

Yeah. No kidding. He bit back a scowl. "That's actually why I approached you. Harrington's not the only one being punished. I'm supposed to join a school club."

"Clubs are meant to support student growth," she said, "not be used for punishment."

"You can take that up with Professor Banner. He's the one who sent me here, ma'am."

She frowned once more and studied his face as if searching his eyes for a lie. She leaned back and sighed upon finding none, then started tapping her pen on her desk.

"I'd like to deny you a spot here and now, but that's not my role as a teacher," she said. "If you're truly serious about joining a club, then you'd better be good, understand?"

"Be Good."

The last command rang through his mind. He shook his head.

"Sure," he said.

"They meet at the lake at 4:30," she added. "Keep in mind, you're still not a member. That's to be determined by the club president."

"And who's that?"

"You'll see," she replied.

TAG FORCE ALTERNATIVE: LEARNING TO DUEL
LESSON SEVEN
BLACKJACK

"Ohohohohoho!"

I should've known it would be her. He thought.

"So you're the one who wants to fish in my club? Why that's simply absurd!"

"Aren't you a freshman?" Konami inquired. "How'd you already become the club president?"

"I've told you before," Kami replied. "I'm the heiress to Umi no Corp! Using funds for this was a simple matter, not that it's any business of yours."

"So you bought your way to the top? Figures..."

"Of course, and look what it's brought me! You, dancing in the palm of my hand! Ohohohohoho!"

He rolled his eyes. Since she was in charge, this club was already a bust. Still, he might as well give it a shot. Maybe he could finesse his way in?

"Listen, Ami—er, Kami," he corrected before she could snap. "Maybe we got off on the wrong foot. Could we try and start over as friends?"

"Friends?" She put her hands on her hips. "It's far too late for that now. Besides, don't act like you're not scheming something. I know what this meeting's about!"

"Er, you do?"

Kami smirked. "Fontaine told me about your punishment. You either join a club or have detention for a month... and you'll lose your Duel Disk to boot!"

Konami sighed. "Nothing gets past you..."

"Obviously," she said, grinning. "And while I'd like nothing more than to watch you suffer for an entire month, I must say, the idea of having you work for me is appealing." She folded her arms and nodded her head. "You'd be at my beck and call, working to the bone for an entire year while you atone for the nonsense you've said. Yes. I think I'd enjoy that quite much. And that's not including Alexis. I wonder how she would feel about this, knowing that you've betrayed her for me?"

I'm pretty sure she wouldn't actually care, he thought, rolling his eyes. I've barely talked to her since my duel with Rosewood, although... isn't this a good chance?

Alexis was an Obelisk Blue, someone on the level of Kami. She was bound to know way more clubs than Jaden. She could probably help him join one, too!

"...which is why," Kami said, "pledge allegiance to me, and I'll be fine with starting a friendship. Of course, that's only after you've gotten down on your knees and begged."

[Hey, Alexis?] he typed, ignoring Kami. [Do you have time to meet up? I could really use some help joining a club. Know any that'd take guys like me?]

"A-Are you listening to me? Hey, who are you texting?"

[I'm pretty sure there's a club list for that.]

[Come on! It's a friendly request!] he replied.

"C-Commoner?"

[Fine. Let's meet up at Horahkty Hall around six. I know at least one club that needs some new members. But I'm not sure if they'll let you join.]

"Sweet!" He slid his PDA in his pocket.

"Are you done?" Kami asked, frowning.

"Yeah," he said, turning around. "And I'm done with this Fishing Club, too."

"Hey, hold on!" She called after him. "Didn't you come here to join us?"

"Yeah," he said. "But I'm not so desperate that I'd get down on my knees and beg. See ya, Nami!"

She started to growl. "That's it! You're finished, you fiend!"

Thank God for Alexis, he thought as he fled. There's no way I could stand doing that. Here's hoping she doesn't just drag me back here. Now wouldn't that make me look stupid?

He shook his head. Given his previous encounters with both girls, he doubted they'd want to help each other find members for their stupid clubs. But if it wasn't for fishing, then what could it be? Most clubs were already filled! That was, of course, excluding the ones that rejected him due to their rank.

Fine Arts Appreciation, my ass, he thought, remembering one of them. More like Rank Appreciation Club. Damn those Obelisk Blues.

He wasn't a stranger to discrimination. He'd experienced it enough in his past. But there was no doubt that the Obelisk Blues had the most blatant form he'd ever seen.

And with Crowler's influence, who can blame them? He thought as he made his way back. From what I saw of him the night I snuck out, he's the reason they all act like this!

Well, almost all of them, at least. Alexis didn't act like the rest, and though he didn't want to admit it, those three at the Occult Club were more dumb than rude. But stupidity came with its own problems, of which Konami wanted no part. Hopefully, the club Alexis knew of had people a bit smarter than them.

Unfortunately, there was a good hour left before he would meet her. In hopes of wasting some of that time, Konami returned to his dorm. He couldn't think of anything better to do than start building up his new "bond," especially since it was with someone who was a fellow Slifer like him.

"...Uh, Full Stop!" Syrus said.

"I'm at nineteen," Jaden replied.

"Looks like you two are having fun," Konami said as he got back.

"Oh, hey! Look who it is!" Jaden said, grinning at him. "How'd it go? You join the club?"

"Not quite," he replied. "Alexis is helping me meet with one later."

He looked at what they were doing.

"You're playing Blackjack?"

"Betting food," Chumley said from his bed.

"Is that so? The menu look good?"

"It's just fried shrimp and sardines."

"Pharaoh's favorite..." Syrus groaned. "It's what we have every Thursday. But if I can get rid of all my sardines, then I might actually sleep well for once!"

"Sorry, Sy," Jaden replied, "but I'm eating fried shrimp tonight! Hit me!"

"Ugh..!" Hero Kid was revealed. "No..! Not a Level 2!"

"Heh, looks like I win again! Who knew Blackjack was this fun? Konami, do you wanna get in on this?"

"Might as well," he said, sitting down.

Blackjack, or as some people referred to it, 21, was a game that needed no explanation, though the version they played was quite different. For starters, unlike regular Blackjack, where you played with fifty-two cards, their version used a forty-card Duel Monsters deck; Spell and Trap cards included. Furthermore, players were allowed to go well past the score twenty-one, and the winner was determined by whose number was closest to that score at the end of the game.

The rules were as follows: all players started with one Monster card on their side and took turns adding cards to their hands that raised or lowered their score. Monster cards increased the number by the Level listed on the card. Spells multiplied the number by two, doubling their total score. Finally, trap cards divided the score that one had in half. It was the only way to decrease one's score and added a twist to the game.

When a player was confident with their score, they could declare a "Full Stop," giving the other players a single turn to try and get a better score. If no player announced a "Full Stop," they would stop after each person's hand reached ten cards, at which point the player with the closest score to twenty-one would win the game.

"Ready to begin?" Jaden asked, smiling as he shuffled his deck.

"Yeah," Konami replied. In a way, I guess this will be our first duel.

"Hold it," Chumley said, climbing down. "I wanna get in on this, too!"

"Whoa, really?" Jaden asked. "It's rare for you to hang with us, Chumley!"

"Yeah, well... someone's gotta teach you freshies how things work around here."

"But... aren't you a freshman, too?" Syrus asked.

"That's not the point!"

"I'm fine with you playing, but there's a problem. There's not enough cards for four players..." Jaden said.

Konami frowned. There'd only be thirty-six cards once the game began, and if every player wound up drawing to ten...

"Why don't we play two on two?" Syrus asked.

"A Tag match? I like how you think!" Jaden said. "What're the teams?"

"Well, I'm gonna be your partner, bro!"

"Nuh-uh! I won't join Konami," Chumley said. "I only came down so I can kick his butt. Teaming with him doesn't help me with that!"

"Oh, come on, Chumley. Not you, too! We've got enough problems already!" Jaden groaned.

"Yeah, well, that's how it is. Take it or leave it, scrubs."

Jaden sighed. "Fine. I guess I'll partner with Konami, then."

"But Jay!" Syrus said. "That's not fair! You two are way too strong for us!"

"Yeah, I'm not going against both of you guys. That's too hard, even for me!" Chumley said. "Besides, Syrus won't be a good partner. He looks like he wouldn't draw well."

"What'd you say?! You take that back!"

"Hmph, make me, freshie!"

Konami sighed. "Are they always like this?"

"A little bit," Jaden laughed. "Hey, Syrus! Partner up with Konami! This way, you could prove Chumley wrong!"

"Ah-! But Jay!"

"Fine by me," Chumley said, sitting by Jaden.

"Hey, wait-!"

"No," Chumley said. "It's time we got this game on."

"Now you're speaking my language," Jaden said, shuffling his deck with a smile. Once he was done, he set it in the middle of the table and dished out two cards.

Konami and Syrus got Bubbleman.

Chumley and Jaden got Clayman.

"I'll go first," Jaden said, drawing another card from the deck. He placed it on the table beside his Clayman.

Sparkman.

"That gives us eight."

"Our turn then," Syrus said. "Uh, can I draw first?"

"Knock yourself out," Konami replied. "By the way, whose deck is this?"

"It's mine," Jaden said, watching as Syrus drew and placed Wildheart on the table. "Why?"

"Aren't you a little bit worried about letting others see what you have?"

"Nah. It's fine. You guys are good people. Besides, we're all friends around here!"

"Yeah, friends..." Konami drawled.

"Alright!" Chumley yelled. "Bladedge!" He placed the card beside Sparkman and Clayman. "That'll give us fifteen."

"Guess that means I better get a good draw," Konami said. "Here I go!"

He drew a card.

"Heh..." He smirked. "Check it. Polymerization!"

"Alright!" Syrus cheered. "That doubles our score! I can almost taste the fried shrimp!"

"Not so fast!" Jaden replied. "This duel isn't over just yet!"

"Uh, but wait, it isn't a duel?"

"It's my turn. I draw!" Jaden said. He grabbed a card from the deck, grinned at it, then slammed it onto the table. "How about this? I play... Elemental HERO Necroshade!"

"No way!" Syrus gasped. "But that'll put you at twenty!"

"Darn right it is!" Jaden laughed. "Which means all we need is a Level 1, and this game is as good as ours! Your move, Sy. Do your best!"

"Hey, did you forget the rules?!" Chumley snapped. "You didn't declare a Full Stop, Jaden! We could've won just now if you had!"

"Oh, man, you're right!" Jaden replied. "Sorry, that one was my bad. I also declare a Full Stop, you guys."

"No. You already ended your turn," Konami said.

"Yeah, I figured you'd say something like that..."

"It's my move!" Syrus said. "Draw!"

He drew a card and placed it down on the table.

Elemental HERO Avian.

He winced. "That's a Level 3 monster... It only puts us at nineteen..."

"Heh. So much for your fried shrimp dinner," Chumley said. "It's my turn. Draw!"

He pulled a card from the deck and grinned.

"'Licious! I play Morphin' Jar!"

"Oh, no! A Level 2 monster!" Syrus said.

"Uh-huh. That makes twenty-two," Chumley said. "And you know what that means."

"No..."

"That's right. I declare a Full Stop!"

Syrus winced.

"Nice save, Chumley!" Jaden said, hi-fiving him.

"Yeah," he agreed. "After this, that fried shrimp dinner is ours!"

Konami frowned. Jaden and Chumley were sitting just above twenty-one. And with a score of only nineteen themselves, things weren't looking good anymore.

A Level 2 monster is what I need, but who knows how many he has?

"Hey, what are you thinking about?" Chumley asked. "'Fraid I'll get your shrimp?"

"Tch. You won't get any fried shrimp," Konami said, his eyes blazing.

It was time for the most important draw of his life. This was it, winner take all!

He reached his hand out to the deck and drew.

A sharp pain ran up his arm.

"Kuri, Kuri...!" a voice rang out.

He dropped the card onto the table.

"Huh?" Jaden asked. "Hey, what's wrong?"

"Nothing..." Did I imagine it?

He picked up the card, but nothing happened.

"So, what did you get?" Syrus asked. "Hey, wait a sec... Don't tell me we lost?!"

"You bet you did," Chumley bragged. "Why else would Konami have to fake being hurt?"

"It's a DRAW," Konami said.

"What'd you say?!" Chumley replied.

He revealed the card.

Winged Kuriboh.

"What? Partner?!" Jaden gasped, staring at the card art in shock. "Awww, man! I don't believe it! Of all the cards you could draw!"

Partner? Konami thought with a frown. That means I didn't imagine it! This card does have a Duel Spirit inside... and it even tried to attack me!

The thought spent a chill surging down his spine, raising the hairs on the back of his neck. He eyed it once more, studying the artwork now that he knew it was alive.

It glared at him.

He flinched away, dropping the card on the table.

"Hey, careful!" Jaden said.

"Sorry, but I've gotta go," he replied.

"Huh, already?" Syrus asked.

"Yeah, I'm still club hunting," he said. "I don't know if I'll be back in time for dinner, so if I'm not, you can just have my share."

"Cool, that means I'll have double the shrimp!" Syrus said.

"That's if I'm not back," he stressed.

And I probably won't be. Not if it means being in the same room as that thing. He thought.

He glanced at the Winged Kuriboh once more. Its artwork was still glaring at him.

"Tch."

"Kuri!" it said back at him.

To think it was just two doors down.

Wait. Could Jaden see spirits, too? He spared the Slifer a look.

The boy didn't seem particularly worried, though he had reacted to the card.

If that's the case, then I'll have to be careful about how I deal with him, too... Konami thought.

Nothing good came from messing with spirits, even if this one was Winged Kuriboh. And if Konami eventually faced one in a duel, he was certain it wouldn't end well.

And to think I wanted to face him so soon...

Perhaps Banner's choice did some good. At the very least, he now had some time to figure out how to proceed.

A Duel Spirit...

Once again, the supernatural was creeping into his life.

But things wouldn't go like they had the first time.

This time, he'd be more prepared.

He took a deep breath, rose from his seat, and turned to leave Jaden's room.

He had to calm down.

Fortunately, he still had the perfect distraction.

For now, focus on joining a club.

More than ever, he needed to duel.

-GX-

By six o'clock, Horahkty Hall was busier than he expected. A lot of the clubs that took place inside were only just letting out. Despite this, many of the students were in no big hurry to leave, which was why the halls were jam-packed when Konami made his way back into the building.

Fortunately, despite the crowds, Alexis was easy to find. The blonde stuck out like a sore thumb compared to the extras around her.

"Hey," he greeted as he approached. "Thanks for coming. You saved me."

"Hey yourself," she replied. "I'm surprised you actually asked for my help."

He rolled his eyes. "What can I say? Banner's deadline is tomorrow. And while some people don't want to duel me, I'd rather not lose my Duel Disk if I can."

"Yeah, I bet. Jaden looked pretty depressed the day he lost his. How's he holding up?"

"Well enough," he replied. "He's still got his friends, after all. But enough about him. I didn't come here to wow you with Slifer Red gossip. I came here so I could join a good club. Let's get straight to business, alright?"

She folded her arms. "Wow. You sure know how to make a girl feel special. Do you talk to all of your friends that way, or is it reserved just for me?"

"Who knows?" He shrugged. "Maybe you'll find out after I get into a club."

"Not with that attitude," she replied. "I'm pretty sure they'd kick you out in a heartbeat."

"Seriously?"

"What's your deal? You seem more prickly than usual."

"Yeah, well, it's been a long day. Are you gonna help me or not?"

Alexis sighed. "You know, you should probably take a chill pill and relax. People don't want to spend time with a jerk. That karma might bite you someday."

"Yeah, yeah... So I keep hearing," he muttered, ruffling his hair. "So? Can you help?"

"Sure," she said. "But only if you can say please."

"Please?" he asked, raising a brow.

"You know, the magic word?" she said.

He clicked his tongue.

"Don't be shy. You're the one who said we were friends," she winked. "The least you can do is manage this much. Or do you not want my help? I mean, you can always go back to Kami and get down on your knees and beg. She might even take you. Though probably not, if what I heard earlier's true."

"Tch. So you know I met with her, huh?"

"Mindy's part of the Fishing Club."

"And you let her stay?"

"What do you mean? She can join whatever club that she wants."

Konami sighed. "No wonder Kami's got all the Blues under her thrall. You really don't care about being Queen, do you?"

"I've got other things on my mind," she said.

"Like what?" he asked.

"Don't change the subject," she said, smiling back at him. "Are you gonna say please, or should I go find someone else to show to this club?"

Konami sighed. "Alright, fine. You win. Will you please help me?" he asked.

"See?" she said. "That wasn't so hard. Politeness has benefits, too."

He rolled his eyes as she turned on her heel.

"Come on, the clubroom's this way," she said. "The most I can do is introduce you, though. Whether or not you get in's up to you."

She led him up the first couple flights of stairs, weaving through the students around them. A few quick turns through the hallway later, and they arrived outside of the room.

"This is it," she said. "Welcome to Duel Academy's one and only Gaming Club."

"Gaming Club?" Konami inquired. This sounds like it's right up my alley.

She knocked on the door. A few moments passed before a voice called out from inside.

"Yeah, yeah... I told ya, Chairman, we'll have some new members soon! Stop bothering me and buzz off already! I can stay 'till the end of the month!"

"We're not the Chairman," Alexis said, frowning as she slid the door open. "I brought someone who wants to join your club."

"Hey, hey! Close the door!" they replied.

Alexis ignored them and continued inside. Konami followed her in.

Nice place he's got here, he thought as he did, glancing around the clubroom.

It was filled with all kinds of arcade machines, from racers to shooters and slots. One in particular that stood out to him was Puzzle Pro: Saikyou no Puzzle, the sequel to a game he hadn't seen since he was living back in Domino City.

At the back of the room, a pompadour-haired boy in blue sat at one of the machines. His eyes were locked on the screen, which displayed a shooter in the style of Gradius.

"Hey, close the door!" he repeated, squinting as his fingers mashed against the controls. "Come on, come on! Get that glare out my face! Ah, damn it!"

He lost.

The boy growled, slamming his fist on the control board as he suddenly stood.

"Damn it! That's why I said keep the door shut! You losers cost me my high score!"

"Sorry," Alexis said, checking the screen. "At least you still got second place?"

"The only place that matters is first," they replied. "Fuggedaboutit! Whaddya want?"

"I heard on the grapevine you needed more members," she said. "I figured Konami could help you with that."

"Konami?" the boy glanced at him. "Ey, wait a second. I heard about you! You're that guy who keeps pissin' off Kami! Heard you got Harry kicked off his team, too. Good stuff if you ask me!"

"Thanks," Konami said. "Happy to please. Uh, who are you again?"

The boy smirked. "I'm Lorenzo! That's Lor with an Enzo, capiche? I'm even a world gaming champ?"

"Sorry, don't know ya," he said.

Lorenzo faltered.

"Still, if you're a world champ, then you've gotta be good."

"Heh, good is an understatement," Lorenzo said, shaking his head. "You don't get to the top just by being good. You've gotta be great, understand?"

"Er, yeah," Konami replied. Great, so he's one of those guys.

"Anyway, that's beside the point. You say you wanna join my club?" Lorenzo asked. "Just so you know, we don't take any dumb newb who can walk through the door."

"Newb?" asked Alexis. "And what does that mean?"

"Ya came here without knowing that? Oh man, you've got some work cut out for you."

"I'm not the one joining," she said.

"It means you're a novice," Konami replied. "Particularly when it comes to gaming."

Alexis frowned. "Well, excuse me for not wasting my childhood in front of a screen."

"Ey, relax. I'm not judging ya, bird! Just lookin' to see your skill level."

"Bird?" she said, raising a brow.

"Fuggedaboutit!"

"Right..." she sighed. "Listen," she said, turning to Konami. "I think I'll leave you two to it."

"Not sticking around?"

"Games aren't my thing. Well, except for Duel Links."

"Duel Links, eh? We got that here. Why don't ya stay for a bit? At the very least, you can give your boy toy some moral support while he games."

"Boy toy?"

"We're not like that," Konami said.

"Yeah, sure. Point is boss lady's real particular about who can join. And if you want in, then you're gonna have to beat me and her in a duel!"

"Duel?" Alexis said. "In the Gaming Club?"

"Duel Monsters is a game," Lorenzo said. "And since we're at Duel Academy, it's one of the most important ones we can play!"

"You've got that right," Konami said. "So what, I'm running a gauntlet?"

"Nah, more like a Boss Rush. And guess what? I'm your first stage!"

TAG FORCE ALTERNATIVE: LEARNING TO DUEL
LESSON SEVEN
END